The logical continuation of the previous day’s hike was to make the next stage of the Via Berna, between Tramelan and Saint-Imier. However, here I decided not to follow the route scrupulously because I was intrigued by the cirque of the Champ Meusel just above Saint-Imier. In doing so, I followed one end of the Way to Mont Soleil route instead of continuing Via Berna.
From Tramelan, the first step is to reach the crest. Even if the climb is steep in places, you have the advantage of being in the woods, which allows you to stay cool. It is near the Bise de Cortébert that the terrain becomes more and more open. But from here, the great climb is made. We then pass near the first wind turbines of Mont Crosin.
Just before the Col du Mont Crosin, a small surprise is reserved for us since the trail follows the ridge faithfully and two bumps must be climbed quite steeply. At the pass, you must follow a stretch of the road, which can be very busy in good weather. Fortunately, the trail crosses the road and crosses the large parking lot at the pass, preventing the walk along the road.
After crossing a forest, you’re back in the pastures where there are other wind turbines. We stopped at the foot of one of them near Les Demeurances. These turbines aren’t completely silent, but they don’t make a deafening noise either.
As mentioned, we descended towards the Sergeant instead of following the Via Berna faithfully. In doing so, we had the opportunity to pass near the depression of the Champ Meusel. A hypothesis was circulated some time ago about the origin of this depression. Some thought it was a meteorite impact. In fact, this type of formation is not unusual in the Jura Mountains and this theory has since been abandoned. On the other hand, the presence of a swamp (which had been dried up for a while) is explained by the fact that there was a small glacier in the Chenevières hollow just above and which runs down to the Champ Meusel.
The rest of the itinerary passes through the town of Saint-Imier, and as is often the case in these cases, you must pay attention to navigation, otherwise you may find yourself completely on the other side of the town.
Itinerary: Tramelan – Prés Limenans – La Bise de Cortébert – Chalet Neuf – Col du Mont Crosin – Les Demeurances – Le Sergent – Champ Meusel – Saint-Imier
Distance: 15.5Km
Altitude gain: 500m
Duration: 4h30
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